Thanks for the fun Shadow, and everyone. Stay safe and be well, all!
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Dev takes a moment to regain focus, then nods at Gauntlet with a grin as he doles out the orders. He cocks his head a little and smirks a bit more, realizing he doesn't even need to say anything. Such a general! And surely, he knows it. "Hey there, Shiver, why don't you give us a hand making sure these folks tell the truth, will ya?" he says out loud, even thought is not necessary, and moving to help Pink-Eye and Kana as requested. He wills Shiver to grow his spindly legs, and stand up tall on his shoulder, striking what he hopes is an intimidating pose. '...He'll know if you're lying...' Shiver says telepathically to the now-captives. '...So Don't...'
Not to be outdone, and because his patience hasn't earned any awards, Dev follows Meridian and released his own energy blast at the same target, hoping to make advantage of the rat's dodge and catch it just as it thinks it's safe! -4 if in melee
Dang, whatever the website did is still an issue in my end. Feel free to bot me while I delete every setting/cookie/cache etc. Sorry all! Managed to log in a little. But keep getting booted back out :(
Around-sorry if it appeared otherwise. Getting back into the swing of things after a weird holiday and some work stress. Death to All Rats!
Dev smirks silently as Gauntlet takes charge and hands out orders.
"If that doesn't work, maybe Shiver here can get through to them. Assuming their mind isn't so far gone..." Dev starts. Telepathic Speech: If the owner is 5th level or higher, the psicrystal can communicate telepathically with any creature that has a language and is within 30 feet of the psicrystal, while the psicrystal is also within 1 mile of the owner.
Echoing everyone else. Works for me just fine.
Dev sighs as the would-be ambusher regains consciousness, and had Shiver deliver his message to the sorry soul. "See pal, I went and TOLD YOU to stand down, didn't I? Now, you might still limp away, but that's probably the best we can do. See, some of these folks prefer a swift, merciless response to violence like you was about to do. Maybe you talk a bit, I see if I can't convince them otherwise, huh? Otherwise, my minotaur friend here might just pick you up and disappear behind that wall for a bit. Maybe take the easy way out instead, huh? Help me help you."
"This ain't worth yer lives! Surrender now and you can walk away! Maybe even with yer friends here!" Dev calls out over the noise of battle. Maybe they could learn something from the ambushers by saving their fallen friends. No sense killing bad-off regular folk if they didn't have to. 'Shiver, make sure they hear my offer?' he instructed his Psicrystal to scuttle forward and repeat his message telepathically. Hearing a voice in one's head tended to drive home the point.
Pity we haven't got a 2 weapon fighter in the party!
Dev will note, in the time while B scouts ahead, the bare nature of the fortress. "So, I'm not much for religions, but I thought I'd see more Silver, here. And maybe a few more flames. Y'all have any plans to rebuild? Or redecorate? Ya know, I've got a line on Silver myself, and I've been known to work at a more than fair rate for the right causes. It's a deep deep personal flaw, or so I keep hearing from my business manager, he says with a wink aimed at Faela
Do I think the Lady would prefer to remain un-mentioned?Most likely yes. Then I will do her the courtesy of avoiding the subject entirely.
Do I think the Lady would prefer to remain un-mentioned?
Previous companion. She was a Silver Flame vampire hunter. As I recall, she was captured with Gauntlet et al but wasn't around for the rescue. I think maybe she was ransomed?
Dev would want to check in on Xetovia before we head out, but I'm okay with not playing that out, if you want to speed things up, Shadow. Lemme know either way!
"See, right to the chase," Dev says with a smile, gesturing with his thumb in the direction of Frank.
"Mmm, sounds like somebody is taking advantage of them folks, maybe. Dangerous stuff. Play the dog long enough, he'll bite ya...maybe."
"Thanks, pal. You know where to find me!"
"Frankie here cuts right to the chase sometimes. But it's nice to meet ya. I'm Dev, and this here's General Gauntlet, Frank, Electric Eye, Madam Zabeth, Kana, Meridian, and Pink-Eye." Dev finishes the list ticking people off on his fingers and pointing at folks, and nearly runs out of breath. "We travel in big groups--safer that way, especially when you're in our line o' work. Seems like people keep trying to off us, ya know? But I guess that's cost of doin' business. And most of us managed to keep more or less one step ahead of everybody so far though. Now'adays we're just trying to recover stolen goods, and supposedly the group of folks we're looking to catch up with's based down here. Anyone come to mind?."
"A Dark Lantern? Whoa--that's big time stuff. I'd be game for it, though. Can't turn down a chance like that. Less of course they want something, uh. Icky. I've standards, ya know? But maybe don't lead with that if they ask." Dev chuckles, and winks at Pierce. "But yeah, you figure out what you need, and I'll be available. Me and these folks here, and more'n a few of the others workin' that Mickey P job tomorrow'd probbly be interested. Maybe we should stop back in a bit? Or you wanna reach out when you know what you need?"
Is there any rule, formal or of polite company, that one shouldn't take two jobs at once? Don't want to offend Pierce.
Dev raises an eyebrow. "You sure about that, Frankie?"
"Well there you go, Inspectric Eye, got yourself a 'tutor', look at that!" Dev says laughing and clapping EE on the back. "Plenty of space back at the workshop if'n ya need someplace to study." His eyes snapping back to Keelys, he tries to catch a glimpse of her reaction, looking to see if she's taking offense or carrying undue concern as the conversation ebbs away from her mystery and its evidence.
'What do we think Shiver, is she on the up and up?' he thinks to the jagged hunk of crystal perched on his shoulder.
"Sorta kinda. Heading somewhere tomorrow fer some new job that's a little short on details. Never hurts to diversify, though. Got somethin' in mind?
"Ooh, a right regular mystery! Now that's the stuff!" Dev looks excited at the prospect before recalling the concept of decorum. "Oh and o'course we're very sorry you've been burgled and all that. Have ya asked the corpse any questions yet? Dead Men Tell Tales, or something like that."
Dev smiles, and then launches into it. "Oh heck yeah, did we ever. These here is just the most recent bunch who's saved my life, and vice versa. Found em a bit ago down a hole, if ya believe it, and we've been palling around ever since. Ya find a couple good fixers who won't stab you in the back or rob ya blind, plus they know a few jokes, ya keep'em around. And I'll vouch fer these ones, all right. Yes, I do. A good bunch, that they are. But hey, wouldn't you know it, whilst we were out and about, that ol' Lord o' Blades fella is muckin' about still. Can't say he's gotten any friendlier. Hope was, you maybe happened into something new about'im?.
Rescuers were getting 1000 gold a head from Mickey, iirc? Should we assume that's been paid out?
"Pierce! It's been a minute. I'm happy to head over there with ya EE, see what the ol fella been up to. Maybe he knows more'n he did before bout the ol' Lord."
What Dev heard from Pierce about the Lord of Blades last time they spoke, when he was trying to steal something from Lady Elaydren: "The Lord of Blades is an enigmatic entity, his nature and motivations are unclear. It does appear that he harbors a strong hatred for "living" races. My sources tell me that he does not reside within Sharn but somewhere in the Mournland.
One of my contacts speculated that he is the last creation of House Cannith before the forges were shut down by the Treaty of Thronehold. Others believe he was formed in secret by Warforged who fired up a forge one last time to create their own leader who was free of Cannith influence. The last story I heard was that he was the warforged Bulwark who served King Boranel of Breland. The truth at this point is unknown. What is known is that he has operatives here in the city and that they have murdered at least one person, the Professor. What else they are doing here and why is not clear as the one that was captured refused to speak and escaped before clerics or wizards could be brought in to fully interrogate him. His stronghold in the Mournland, if that is truly where he resides, makes him a difficult enemy indeed to deal with as it is not a place fit for the living."
"Yeah Mick, we did our best. Booked it to em soon as we arrived even. Still didn't make it in time though. But well, did manage to recover Pinky and Scales and General Gauntlet here. Tell ya the truth, it's good you hired us when at you did. Might not have found anybody left breathing. Plus whatever Gauntlet here does to be alive, he probably wouldn't have been doing it anymore." Dev pats Gauntlet on the shoulder with a good natured smile. "Glad you're still with us, pal."
No hard feelings man, this has been one capital S Stressful year!
Oh nice. That outclasses Recall Agony nicely, barring Wild Surging of course. Good pickup!
"Oh, worse qualities a man can have than that, agreed. Heck, I've probably got a dozen of em. Whoops." Dev shrugs with a grin. "So milady, what's the odds we can hop into your railcar for the trip home? Sure seems better'n walking cross the whole way there. Ya know? Or are we trying to keep ya in a lower profile than all of that?"
I don't recall exactly when I started, but it was a while ago, and I think it was when he was giving a bunch of orders. Dev floats back and forth on what he calls people quite a bit.
"If I know Mick half as well as I think I do, he'll have something in mind before you've even cleared the door, Pinky."
Hey, all - still here. I have started a new job, so I've been a bit quiet lately. I'll be caught up by the end of the weekend. Congrats and good luck!
"Certainly not, General! Our reward will be paid by Mickey P. Keep your treasure. We were hired, and we'll get paid. Not that we wouldn't have rescued you for free! But well, gotta eat, ya know?"
"Well dang, you sure do all have friends in high places, huh friends?" Dev offers a wink to the Lady and smiles at Pink-eye and Gauntlet in turn, before offering a flourishing bow to Lady Elaydren. "A pleasure seeing you again, mi'lady, truly it is. Far too long since your presence lady graced the humble four walls of my shop. And rather happy we are, to say we've plucked your band here from the brink of doom!"
'That's a Wall of Force, that is. Shant be doing much o' anything about that, nope. Shiver, can you go one-by-one and tell the others what it is, right quick? Thanks, pal.' Dev thinks out loud, communiciating to Shiver, his newly formed Psicrystal. Not bad timing for the little guy to show up, too. Just in time for a good ol' fashioned bit of telepathy. "Hey so it maybe sounds like you'n yers are not too awful happy, and I get that. But more to the point, what with it's been a pretty awful little bit here for us, including ol' Double E here, are you gonna let us go now, or be causing more trouble? Because to tell you the truth, you being a friend of a friend an all, I need a shower like you wouldn't believe, and a hot cup of something. So what's it gonna be, Hal?"
ended up doing one of those Kn(Psi) into Sense Motive to take advantage of the Alertness from my new Psicrystal, Shiver!
Oooh, big development! Hal!
Dev will keep advancing in Wilder to 5th, make himself a lil Psicrystal friend, and gain: +10 pp (up to 35 now) +1 Skill rank in Sleight of Hand, Craft (background) +2 Skill ranks, in Autohypnosis +3 skill ranks Knowledge (Psionics).
"Whatever gets us back to Sharn the fastest, let's do that. Still not a big fan of this place, even if there's a few less folks trying to stab us through. Don't forget, General, our job was to deliver you home in one piece."
"Or you know, obliterate the cursed things. Nobody needs an undead battalion... Unless of course you're planning to fight.. again." Dev shrugs."Ya know?"
Looking to keep his team in the fight, Dev pulls his spear to hand and chucks it at one of the foes targeting Electric Eye.
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